PhD in MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - 31st cycle

Research Area n. 2 - Sustainable Mobility

Research Field: MODELING AND EXPERIMENTAL TESTS OF VEHICLE DRIVELINE AIMED
AT IDENTIFYING KEY PARAMETERS (STIFFNESS, INERTIA, BACKLASH, UNBALANCING,
ETC.) AFFECTING IDLE RATTLE

Monthly net income of PhDscholarship (max 36 months)

1200.0
In case of a change of the welfare rates during the three-year period, the amount could be modified.

Context of the research activity

Motivation and objectives of the research

in this field

Methods and techniques that will be

developed and used to carry out the
research

The powertrain or driveline of passenger-car vehicles is

the system responsible for transferring power from the
engine to the wheels. Many of its noise, vibration and
harshness (NVH) are due to the impacts between the
unloaded gear mesh pairs in the transmission (gear
rattle). Gear rattle is particularly noticeable on manual
transmission vehicles, and other type of transmissions
depending on driveline layout, in neutral condition (idle
rattle) related to the engine firing frequency. Several
parameters, such as gear lubrication, clutch parameters,
transmission shaft stiffness, etc. affect idle rattle.Aim of
the research is to assess, through experimental tests and
numerical modelling of the powertrain, which parameters
most affect NVH, how the various parts of the driveline
interact each other and thus how reduce idle rattle
optimizing components of the vehicle powertrain.

Analysis will be performed through experimental tests and

numerical modelling of the vehicle powertrain.Effects of
nonlinearities of powertrain components (backlash,
saturation, etc.) have to be included into the numerical
model.Experimental techniques (modal analysis, vibroacoustic analysis etc.) have to be applied to analyse
acquired data.
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Educational objectives

Job opportunities

We provide doctoral candidates with high-level scientific

training, fostering and refining research and problem
solving abilities by focusing on both theoretical and
experimental skills. A PhD in Mechanical Engineering will
be able to layout, draft and carry on original research, by
leading a research group or working in a team.

National and international academic and nonacademicinstitutions and organizations, engaged in

innovation,research and technical development; high-tech
SMEs,government departments.Specifically, making
reference to automotive industry, this research topic
allows gaining experience as powertrain engineer.
List of Universities, Companies, Agencies and/or National
or International Institutions that are cooperating in the
research:
Ferrari Auto SpA

Composition of the research group

Name of the research directors

10 Full Professors
7 Associated Professors
18 Assistant Professors
23 PhD Students
Prof. Federico Cheli
Contacts

federico.cheli@polimi.it
02-2399-8462
For further information visit www.mecc.polimi.it
phd-dmecc@polimi.it

Additional support - Financial aid per PhD student per year (gross amount)
Housing - Foreign Students

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Housing - Out-of-town residents

(more than 80Km out of Milano)

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Additional information: educational activity, teaching assistantship, computer availability, desk availability,
any other informations

Educational activities (purchase of study books and material, funding for participation incourses,
summer schools, workshops and conferences): financial aid per PhD student per year:
2nd year: 1.370 euro per student
3rd year: 1.370 euro per student
Teaching assistantship: availability of funding in recognition of supporting teaching activities by
the PhD student. There are various forms of financial aid for activities of support to the teaching
practice. The PhD student is encouraged to take part in these activities, within the limits allowed
by the regulations.
Computer availability:
1st year: individual use
2nd year: individual use
3rd year: individual use
Desk availability:
1st year: individual use
2nd year: individual use
3rd year: individual use

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